Switching mechanism.



R. vm. v SWITCHING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 18, 1 914.

1,168,922., Patented Jan. 18, 1916.

wi/lmeowo THE COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPH ,CO-I WASHXNGTON, D. C.

nnvnnno vrrror sr. LOUIS, iarssoonr.

new

SWITCHING MECI-EANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J 18, 31916.

Application filed November 18, 1914:. Serial No..872,706.

To aZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, RINALDO Vrri, a c1t1- zenof the United States, residing at l0 12 Holland Building, St. Louis,State of Mrssouri, have invented certain new and usetul Improvements inSwitching Mechanism, of which the following is a specification,reiterence being had therein to the accompanying drawing. I

This invention relates to improvements 1n railroad switches, especiallyintended for use in mines where an easily movable switch is needed, andmore particularly to that type of switch designed to be operated froman,

engaging part carriedby a moving vehicle so as to dispense with theservlces of a switchman.

The invention contemplates the provision of instrumentalities enablingthe throwing of a switch point when the vehicle is moving, in onedirection, and enabling the restoration of said switch point to itsoriginal position by a continued movement of the vehicle in the samedirection. Y

The invention also embraces means for reintorcing the switch point whenopen-to relieve the mountings thereof of the strains incident to travelover and against said switch points, said means also acting to assist inthe maintenance of switch points in operative thrown position. v

The features of construction constituting my present improvementsgenerally referred to above will be'more apparent from an mspection ofthe accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof and wherein the;preferred embodiment of the invention is lllustrated, when considered inconnection with the detail description thereof as hereinafter contained.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is aplan view of a section of trackillustrative of a main line and a branch line leading therefrom, with myswitching mechanism cooperating therewith; Fig. 2 is a longitudinalsection on the line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional viewon the line 33 of Fi l, and Fig. l is an elevation of a fragmentaryportion ofa vehicle, forexample, a conventional motor car or locomotive,showing the switch controlling device mounted upon and adapted to travelwith said car to effect the operation of the switch throwingmechanism,;,in keepingwith the purposes of the motorman or engineer.

Referring more specifically to the drawings wherein like referencecharacters designate corresponding parts in the several views, Arepresents the main line of a railroad and B the branch line leadingtherefrom. i

C indicate the usual switch points associated with the lines referred toand pivoted at Dto permit lateral movement thereof as occasion requires.

The tree or pointed endsot the switch points are pivotally united, as atE, to a cross bar F, designed to throw the points in unison so that whenone point is engaged with its cooperating rail G, the other is carriedfrom its corresponding cooperating rail H.

The means for laterally shifting the connecting bar F may now bedefined.

J are a pair of bell crank levers, pivoted at their elbows to a tiemember or equivalent supporting structure K, the pivoting of the bellcrank levers being on the outwardly projecting ends of the supportingmember K, as represented at L.

Arranged parallel to the straight rail H of the main line, and atsuitable distances, respectively, in rear and in advance of the switchpoints, are a pair of actuators M and M, the same being in the nature ofrocking cams arranged horizontally, whereby to swing vertically, andformed of undulating metal bars, as shown. These cams are pivoted, as atN,in a pair of separated brackets 0,1 mounted on supporting beams 0, 79,similar to the supporting member K, the pivoting of the cams being withthe axes thereof disposed in a horizontal plane to permit the swingingof the cams in a vertical plane, as previously mentioned. De-

pending portions Q, rigidly connected tothe cams, so as to rocktherewith, are connected by oppositely extending links it and S to theouter ends of the bell crank levers J.

From the description thus far given, it

ing a corresponding movement of the links and bell crank levers, sothatthe bar F is shifted also in the direction indicated by the arrow andthe switch closed to permit the 7,110 a car to continue along themainline, the subsequent action of the cam M along the main track, restoringthe switch points to an open position, if desired. e

In view of the fact that the cams, mount ings and connecting meansassociated there? with are of the same general construction, on oppositesides of the track, it is not neces sary to again specifically definethecon- During the operastruction of these cams. tion of the device, ifit is desired to send the car around the curve, the trip U carried bythe car is shifted to engage the cam M on the'left hand side of thetrack, causing the cam member to tilt and through the medium of theconnecting links S shift the switch points to permit the car to movealong the branch line, the switch points being restored to a closedposition'by the actuation of the cam R arranged along the branch line.

In view of the fact that the cams, mountings and connecting meansassociated there w1tl. are the same at the opposite sides of theroad, 1ts not necessary, to again specifically define the elements making up thecorresponding pair of cams and operating means adjacent to the branchline, because as stated, they are substantially identical with the samevoperating means along the main line, it being sufiicient here to saythat one double cam M is arranged adjacent to the main line in advanceof the pointed ends of the switch points and another R adjacent to thebranch line, so that by actuation of one of the cams the throwing of theswitch points in one direction is accomplished, and by an actuation ofthe other cam of that pair the. switch points may be restored to theinitial position.

Intermediate of the free ends of the switch points and on the supportingmember K, I pivotally mount at S, a pair of bell crank levers, the innerends of which are connected by a strongbar T, while the outer ends areturned upwardlyto constitute abutting shoulders adapted'to engage theinner surfaces of the switch points. These bell crank levers are rockedby the engagement of the switch points therewith in consonance with themovement of the switch points and serve to "reinforce the pivoted leverV adapted to be held in either aneutral oreither one of its lateralpositions by a pawl and ratchet mechan sm W.

It will be understood that independently of the direction of travel ofthe train or car by reason of the double cam actuators, the projectionof the rod to one of its lateral positions will first throw the switchand if the rodis permitted to retain the same positien, it will engagethe other cam of the pair being controlled for the time being andrestore the switch to its original position. 1

' While I have herein disclosed one special embodiment of the invention,it will be apparent that the latter is capable of embodiment in suchother forms and devices as may be in keepingwith the hereto appendedclaims. Y Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is: 4 1-.In combination with a main andbranch line of a railroad, pivoted switchpoints the switch points to opposite positions, and:

means unattached to the points and independent of said throwing meansfor riding againstand reinforcing the free ends of the switch points,said reinforcing means comprising pivoted means freely associated withthe switch points and adapted to-be shifted by the movement of thelatter and consisting of a pair of pivoted levers mounted independentlyof the switch points, each having one arm abutting against the switchpoints and the other armsthereof being connected together, substantiallyas and for the pur pose described. I

- 2. The combination with a main and branch line of a railroad, pivotedswitch points cooperating therewith, means for throwing the switchpoints to opposite positions, a plurality of members unattached totheswitch points and one member lying adjacent each point andindependent of the switch throwing means for reinforcing the ends of theswitch point, and connecting means for said reinforcing members wherebythey act in unison, substantially as and for the purposesdescribed.

3. The combination with a main and branch'line of a railroad, pivotedswitch points cooperating therewith, means for throwing the switchpoints to opposite positions, and members independent of said throwingmeans arranged adjacent each switch point for reinforcing thefreeweakenedends of the switch points, said rein- I forcing memberscomprising pivoted levers having a connecting member therewith so thatthey act in unison, movably associated with the switchpoints and adaptedto be shifted by a movement of the latter, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

a. The combination with the main and branch line etc railroad, pivotedswitch pointscooperating therewith, means for throwing the switch pointsto opposite positions, a relnforcingmember ly ng adj acen't operatingtherewith, means for throwing the switch points to opposite positions,and means unattached to the points and independent of said throwingmeansfor riding against and reinforcing the ends of the switchpoints, saidreinforcingmeans comprising pivoted bell crank levers each having an armassociated with a switch point and adapted to be shifted by the movementof the latter, a connecting rod arranged be- I tween said levers andconnected to one of their arms whereby the levers move 1n muson upon theactuation of the switch points, substantially as described.

6. The combination of a main and branch line of a railroad, pivotedswitch points cooperating therewith, meansfor throwing the switch pointsto opposite positions, and means comprising a pivoted lever arrangedadjacent each switch point for reinforcing the same, the said leversbeing provided with a relatively wide upstanding arm adapted to rideagainst the switch points,

and a connecting member arranged between the levers whereby the saidlevers act 1n unison, substantially as and'for the purposes described.

In testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature in the presence oftwo witnesses.

RINALDO VITI.

Witnesses:

JOSEPH NIooLAIs, LAUTI CAsTELLI.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. C.

